Setting Up My Classroom
Classroom setup can dramatically affect students' attitudes toward and habits of learning. Students need an environment that is organized, stimulating, and comfortable in order to learn effectively. Creating such an environment entails arranging a practical physical layout, supplying diverse materials and supplies, and encouraging students to have a sense of belonging and ownership.
As a high school science teacher, I have some flexibility in terms of setting up my classroom. It is, however, dictated by number of students in the class and the level of the course. Students do have an impact on the classroom setup and it would make sense that the junior classroom would also be dictated by the students of that level. As a result, students should have, in some degree, a say to how the classroom is designed.
Asking students where they think the different learning centers should go is important for their identity in the classroom.
In addition, letting students help to define what discipline is appropriate for each learning center through some sort of role play activity acts as a good lesson for appropriate social skills. Helping students learn how to behave appropriately is a good classroom management strategy. Posting procedures for learning centers where students can refer to them is also very important in setting parameters for student expectations in the classroom.
A. Arranging the Learning Centers
When planning, taking the physical features of the classroom into account is important to designing a functional classroom. It is important to remember that, as the year progresses, one could add different kinds of learning centers to fit your class's evolving needs.
Basic Ideas for Classroom:
1. Keep computers facing away from windows to keep glare from sunlight.
2. Use bookshelves to isolate different areas.
3. Provide comfortable seating in various areas of the classroom.
4. Save space by using walls for posters, display shelves, books, and supplies.
5. Create a private spot for independent reading.
6. Separate learning centers of active activity, such as the Visual Arts Center, from areas like the Reading/Writing Center, where students need quiet.
7. Set aside an area to meet with small groups. Allow enough seating for eight.
8. Arranging the Whole-Group Area
9. Make sure that all students will have an unrestricted view of the smart-board and chalkboard.
10. Designate an area for a rug as a learning circle where students can meet as a class group.
11. Determine how to arrange student’s desks. Considering the group cooperative activities that could take place while keeping in mind that arranging desks in a circle promotes discussions and small clusters of desks can also act as small-group meeting areas, arrangement is very important.
12. Arrange the teacher desk in a in the classroom that is out of the way, but in an area where one can view the entire classroom.
13. Set aside an off-limits zone for your records and supplies.
B. Summary of Learning Center Areas
1. Whole-Group Rug Area
For whole class lessons, that includes informal discussion, direct instruction, and student presentations, this would be a good place for a
big chair from which the teacher read or instruct or students could read their writing assignments to the class.
2. Small-Group Area
Here one can give small-group instruction or allow groups of students to gather for peer-led discussions. An example would be a guided reading
table.
3. Reading Area
This is a place for students to read independently or quietly with a partner. It should provide comfortable seating, a variety of books, and a
quiet, secluded atmosphere.
4. Writing Center
At this station, students could write independently and/or collaboratively.
5. Cross-Curricular Center
This is an active center where students could explore relationships across different curricula, including literature, science, social studies, art, and math. Ideally,
access to a Smart-Board and computer would be an excellent asset at this station.
6. Computer Center
This area is for computer use in writing, math, reading, keyboard practice, research, presentation projects, communications, and creative
games.
7. Creative Arts Center
This area is where students can get involved in visual art and dramatic play. It would a sink with water and a variety of art supplies, costumes, and props.
8. Student/Teacher Communication Center (Post Office!)
This area would have a mail slots for students and teacher to exchange written messages and suggestions.
9. Media Center
Here, students can have access to electronics such as a CD player or VCR and television so that students can access media information such
as tapes of books, stories, songs, and poems or videos.
C. Student Seating Formation
The arrangement of student seating plays an important role in the efficient functioning of the classroom. In saying that, desks would be clustered to allow for
multi-purpose use.
An example of multi-purpose seating arrangements is the use of performance stations that allow students to either discover or revisit concepts. I have used this teaching and
remediation strategy in my high school classroom for several years. With this concept, students are presented with a problem or a question where they need to decide on strategies
to solve the problem.
Performance stations can also be adjusted in a way that students can assess formative or summative work on their knowledge of concepts and their ability to use what they know
about a subject in a differentiated setting. It can be assessed based on students' demonstration of their ability to use the skills they have learned and the conceptual understanding
they have developed in the context of real-world application or of complex problems. This type of evaluation allows students to use strategies that accommodate their learning styles.
Manipulative can also be provided for the hands-on learner. Teachers can follow each students thinking process by carefully wording questions that enable students to explain their
work and to reflect upon what they know and what they have learned.
D. Learning Center Rationale
The layout of a learning center classroom allows teachers to apply learner-centered teaching strategies. These strategies focus instruction on the needs, preferences, and interests
of the students. Teachers act as facilitators of the learning process, providing direction and feedback rather than just instruction. Learning activities emphasize cognitive processes
that allow students to come out with new meanings from the information they acquire. Students are given multiple opportunities to discover knowledge and practice skills in an
environment designed to accommodate their needs.
Advantages include:
· becoming more actively engaged in the learning process
· taking responsibility for their own understanding
· learning how to learn
· developing a desire for life-long learning
· retaining knowledge and understanding
· gaining social skills by working with others.
E. Presentation of Student Work
The planning of display areas for student work is very important for the self-esteem of each student. Giving students the opportunity to display their personal accomplishment is
critical to the long range development of the student.
The use of bulletin board space inside and outside the classroom, window shutters, and even the ceiling, should be used to reflect curriculum expectations covered in the course.
Various subject specific areas of presentation would be ideal.
In addition to student work, the teacher would also require some space to display important information that includes scheduling, events, and activities around the school.
Another A/E information board reflecting A/E expectations would also benefit students. Subject specific rubric giving and exemplars showing work of previous student would
allow students to understand the expectations of various assignments.
F. Storage Areas and Equipment
Throughout the room would be storage areas for resources from books to music and art supplies. All the learning centers would be supplied would appropriate storage for material.
Examples of storage shelving include:
1. Read Aloud Resources
2. Independent Reading Resources
3. Shared Reading/Writing Resources
4. Social Studies Resources
5. Mathematics Manipulative and Resources
6. Math and Science Activity Station with computer
7. Science Resources
8. Visual Arts Materials and Resources (portable – on wheels!)
9. Physical Education Equipment Area
10. Student Text Resource Area
11. Teacher Resource Area
G. Out of Bounds!
Every classroom requires an ‘out of bounds” area with teacher access only unless properly instructed to enter. For me, that’s the area directly surrounding my desk and resource
area! Enter with permission ONLY!
H. Final Thoughts!
The set-up of the classroom will dictate the atmosphere of the class as a whole. The students should feel invited to explore, interact, investigate, and learn in a classroom that
reflects an understanding, on the teacher’s part, of how students learn and interact with their environment.
Not all arrangements work the same for every group of students. Reflection is required to make sure any one specific arrangement suits the student you are teaching this year.
Flexibility of layout and design will make the classroom an exciting and dynamic environment to learn and teach!